Black pepper

In the ancient world, peppercorns were thought to be fitting sacred offerings to gods, and at once they were actually worth more than gold. The hunt for pepper, which was a costly commodity took Vasco da Gama and other Portuguese explorers to the Indian coast. In the middle ages, peppercorns were so expensive that they were used as currency and rents could be compensated with them, thus the term”a peppercorn rent.” Now of course that phrase means that something is almost free. But in the middle ages, it meant just the opposite.

Black pepper was used for its health benefits and to flavor food for centuries. Only one black peppercorn is packed full with vitamins and minerals like iron, vanadium, molybdenum, selenium, copper, manganese and phosphorus. It contains vitamins K, C, B6, B3 and B2 in addition to vitamin E. Obviously, if peppercorns are irradiated some of the vitamins, such as vitamin C will be reduced.

Black pepper can get our taste buds stimulated so the stomach is alerted to an impending consumption of food. It may then produce increased quantities of uric acid, which we will need to promote digestion. Additionally it is a carminative, meaning it can decrease flatulence. You can also make a spicy tea containing black pepper in order to promote sweating and bring down a higher temperature if you have a fever.

Black pepper also has antibacterial properties as well as antioxidant ones, so it may boost the immune system and keep our guts healthy and free of harmful bacteria. The outer skin of a black peppercorn can trigger the breakdown of fat which is stored in cells, so it can help keep you slim and energetic.

In the Ayurveda system of medicine black pepper is used to treat a number of ailments such as anaemia, coughs, heart problems and even diabetes. In Unani medicine, black pepper is supposed to be an aphrodisiac. In south-west Asia black pepper is used to eliminate intestinal worms, so obviously there are a myriad uses for this versatile spice, which is no longer as expensive as it was previously.

You should purchase whole black peppercorns and invest in a pepper grinder in order to get the maximum benefits from this spice. Wildlife Removal Lakeland FL is happy to assist.